Solicitors' fees
These differ from one firm to another and from region to region. Contact the Law Society public enquiries department (Telephone: 01527 504448) for the names of firms in your area or telephone our office (01992 500151) and ask our helpful staff  to recommend two or three different firms to compare costs before appointing a solicitor to act on your behalf.

Valuation fee
Applicable only if you require a loan or mortgage - Although carried out on behalf of your lender, expect to pay a fee to cover the cost of valuing your prospective purchase for mortgage purposes.

Survey
In common with solicitors, surveyors' fees vary. Contact the RICS information centre (Telephone: 0207 222 7000 E-mail: info@RICS.org.uk) for the names of chartered surveyors in your area and compare prices before making a final choice. Alternatively telephone our offices and our staff will recommend two or three different firms to compare costs. When obtaining quotations, ask the surveyor to detail exactly what will and will not be covered in the survey, so that you know what you are paying for.

Stamp duty
This is a tax payable on the purchase of any property costing more than £125,001.  At present this is set at 1% of the purchase price from £125,001 to £250,000, 3% from £250,001 to £500,001, 4% £500,001 to £1,000,000, 5% on properties over £1,000,001.

Land registry fee
This fee is charged on the purchase of a property and is based on a scale related to the purchase price. Your solicitor will hold a list of charges.

Local authority searches
These are investigations carried out by individual local authorities to ensure that there are no reasons why the sale of a particular property should not go ahead and to identify any proposed local development or planning matters that may affect your decision to purchase: for example, a planned road widening scheme that may encroach upon the property.

Other searches
It may be necessary to carry out other types of searches to check on such issues as mineral rights or environmental matters these may vary in certain areas, please ask your Solicitor for further details. in your area.

Buildings insurance premium
This must be paid in advance from the date of exchange of contracts. Premiums are set to reflect property values and the area in which you live. Some mortgage lenders will offer you a preferential deal on your mortgage if you take out buildings and contents insurance through them. However, you should consider carefully whether this really represents a long-term saving. It often pays to shop around as insurance companies are keen to offer competitive prices to win business.

Services
There is usually no charge payable to the electricity, gas, telephone and water companies for reconnecting services, though telephone companies may levy a small charge.

Removal expenses and insurance
The cost of removing your furniture and other effects to your new home will depend on a number of factors. These include quantity, the complexity of packing and ensuring safe transport, distance and time of the year.